Tunnel vote can happen, judge says, but would it mean anything?

Seattle will get its chance to vote on part of City-state agreements pertaining to the planned deep-bore tunnel replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a judge ruled Friday.

Following up on her preliminary ruling last week, Judge Laura Middaugh sided with proponents of a referendum, who argued that voters deserved a say before the state moves forward with the controversial tunnel plan.

A vote likely would have little real legal effect on the tunnel project itself, but could have broader political implications. The judge ruled last week that only one section of the agreements was subject to a referendum.

“There was no case law I could find about what to do in a situation like this, but the overriding goal is to make sure the voices of the people are heard when a policy decision is made,” Middaugh said Friday.

Read more at seattlepi.com. The big question now is what the City Council will due. They have until Tuesday to put something on the ballot.

UPDATE:

City Councilman Tom Rasmussen said there could be action on the ballot measure Monday.